Electrotherapeutic apparatus



Sept. 7 1926.

A. M. WENGEL ELEGTROTHERAPEUT IC APPARATUS Filed June 6. 1922 Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES ARTHUR M. WENGEL, OF MADISON, VI'ISCONSIN.

ICE;

ELECTBO'II-IERAPEUTIC IEFARATUS.

Application filed June 6,

This invention relates to electrotherapeutic apparatus, and it more particularly re lates to thetransformation and control of the electric current.

The object of this invention is the provision, in apparatus of the character referred to, of means for transforming and controlling the current in a way to permit the use of the output of dynamo electric machines such as furnished by the usual commercial supply lines.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide, in an electric apparatus for therapeutic purposes, a current derived from low frequency commercial supply lines which can be converted into oscillations of high frequency of low voltage and high or medium amperage or high voltage and low amperage to meet the requirements of the various treatments to which the apparatus is adapted.

In the drawing, the view is a diagrammatic one of an apparatus embodying the improvements. v

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the main supply lines, which carry preferably the usual 110 volt A. C. 60- cycle cur-, rent. A low frequency step-up transformer has its primary 2 connected with the supply 30 lines, the primary being provided with a number of taps 3 and with a switch 4 to control the output. The secondary 5 of the transformer is in a circuit consisting of wire 6, condenser 7, wire 8, inductance coil 9, wire 10, primary 11 of a variocoupler and wire 12. A spark gap 13 is arranged between wires 6 and 12.

The inductance coil 9 has a series of leads or taps 14;, and a switch 15, connected to one end of the coil by wire 16, furnishes the means for short-circuiting a greater or less number of turns of the coil to regulate the rapidity of oscillations of the condenser in discharging.

The primary llof the variocoupler also has a number of taps 1 7 and a switch 18 connected to one end of the coil by wire 19 cooperates with the taps to short-circuit a greater or less number of turns of the coil whereby the amperage and voltage induced in the secondary 20 may be controlled. The secondary coil 20 is connected with terminals 21 through the wires 22. This vario-coupler also acts to produce reasonance with the fre quency in the high tension circuit just de- 1922. Serial No. 566,394.

scribed in order to producea maximum potential in the output circuit.

The inductance coil 9 forms the primary of a transformer, of which the coil .23 is the secondary and 2a a terminal.

Current of a maximum voltage of approximately 8000 volts may be impressed upon the circuit of the secondary coil 5, which voltage'may be regulated, by the taps and switch of the primary coil. The discharge of the condenser produces high frequency oscillations in the secondary circuit, the rapidity of which may be controlled by the taps and switch of the coil 9. At the terminal 241 is delivered a high frequency current of high voltage and low amperage which may be used for vacuum or non-vacuum tube work in connection with all forms of stimulation, for increasing local nutrition, fulgeration, auto condensation and other high frequency treatments. The variocoupler furnishes a means of varying the voltage and amperage of these high frequency oscil-' lations to deliver at the terminals 21, a current of low voltage and medium amperage, if desired, which is used'for thermolysis treatments. For 'diathermic treatments, there is also shown in the present apparatus additional terminals 25 connected to wires 8 and 12 by wires 26 and 27 which deliver a high frequency current of high voltage and low amperage.

In circuit wire 26 there is preferably placed a. milliammeter 28, and a vacuum tube arrester 29 is placed in a shunt circuit 30 leading from wire 8 to the return supply line to eliminate danger to the patient.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In an electrotherapeutic apparatus, a source of alternating current supply, a main circuit, a transformer for impressing a high tension current on said circuit, a condenser and spark gap for producing high frequency oscillations, two adjustable coils in said circuit each forming a primary of a variocoupler whereby said oscillations may be impressed upon second and third circuits having the secondary coils of said variocouplers, and a fourth circuit directly connected with said main circuit having terminals.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of May 1922.

I ARTHUR M. WENGEL. 

